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Family Scholar House, a place I call home…

At Family Scholar House, we get the unique opportunity to work with, not only the single-parent students but also their amazing children (the motivation behind the scenes, the reason our parents are striving for a better life for themselves and their children).

We get to watch these kiddos grow up- first steps have been taken in our lobby – college acceptance letters have been celebrated and everything in between. We get to be there for the big stuff, the small stuff and the everyday stuff – for not only the adults but the fierce and growing children. Then, once our adults graduate,these families transition out of our housing, into an exciting next chapter – but we are lucky, we often get to continue watching the growth and positive impacts they make in OUR communities!

Below, a blog from one of our second-generation scholar, Janae (now a Freshman in college!!)

Living in the Family Scholar House almost six ago, I reminisce on the days of growing up in such a family oriented and goal driven atmosphere. Family Scholar House provided so much support for my mother while she pursued her education, and cared for my sister and I. The absence of two parents in the home can make it very stressful for a single parent to provide for their family, it would be easy to forget your goals and ambitions, however, the Family Scholar House makes it possible to strive for the unimaginable!

I am very thankful for Family Scholar House for giving my mother this opportunity along with many opportunities for us to get involved and to flourish into young adults. For instance, I was given the opportunity to participate in the YMCA’s Leadership Training Camp and it was such an amazing experience that I will never forget. Not only did I learn the essentials of true leadership, but I discovered something even more important – MYSELF! I was reminded that I am special and unique. That I have a purpose and the strong will to deliver my perspective on the meaning of life. Now this may sound strange for a thirteen-year-old to have an epiphany, but that’s how life changing this experience was for me and every year was something different. These camps always brought a way to improve and demonstrate the core elements of leadership. Family Scholar House ALWAYS allowed me to show off my personality, encouraging me to be comfortable in my own skin and nurtured my potential, from the very beginning.

Since my mother graduated and we moved out of Downtown Scholar House, I still participate and volunteer at workshops hosted by Family Scholar House, I am still welcomed into the place I once called my home. Home is where the heart is, and my heart will always be here with the incredible staff, neighbors, volunteers and program of Family Scholar House.

I can still remember watching my mom study and do homework and we would talk about the day I would go to college – I am still shocked that day is here! Currently, I’m completing my Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Louisville. Even all these years later, I still find myself reflecting back to the leadership skills I learned at camp, the memories I made at Family Scholar House and the incredible support system my family gained, when I was just entering middle school. I know I can always call or stop by when I need advice, a meal at cafe night, to volunteer or just to chat and thus is why I am thankful for the Family Scholar House.